What I know about women...

My first crush was on Tyra Banks. I had a huge poster of her on my wall in California in her famous purple bikini. But I've been around women all my life, and I've always been really comfortable with them.

I've probably spent more time with my mum than is strictly healthy. She was very strict. She always made sure I was telling the truth, and keeping focused in school and getting good grades. She was supportive, but never let me slack - I will always thank her for that. Later on when I started acting, she was my main support. She was the reason I went into acting - she dragged me back and forth to Los Angeles for auditions. And when I sometimes thought about giving up, she was always there.

My female teachers were also hugely influential in my life. I liked to get to know them. It was always easier for me to befriend them than the male teachers. I usually just made them laugh. Am I a big flirt? Well, I'm comfortable around women. I can talk to them and never found it difficult. I mean, some guys I know really can't talk to girls.

My female teenage fans make me feel young and bring out the kid in me. But I mean, I was at that age not long ago and in no way do I feel above or distant from them. They have a different kind of awareness. You know, young girls don't necessarily know how movies are made. I love that kind of innocence, it's such a pleasure. They are genuinely excited about films - no one's ever more excited than teenage girls. I'm quite annoyed that I don't have that innocence any more.

I was the kid that if I saw a great movie that I enjoyed, I'd go and see it twice, thrice, 10 times and then, of course, go buy the DVD. Julie Andrews in The Sound of Music was very important to me. I also loved Cinderella. When I was younger they were huge for me.

I think it's kind of funny thinking about my fellow 'starlets' getting into trouble. The whole Hollywood 'bad boy' kind of phased out and now we've got these wild girls. But they're much deeper into the celebrity side of Hollywood than me. They enjoy running around in weekly magazines and stuff. That's not how I want to be. There's a fine line between celebrity and actor, I mean, some of these women are really talented. It's really just the partying that gets a little too much.

The whole paparazzi thing makes me feel a little bit uncomfortable. You know, being photographed on a Sunday, buying a bottle of milk in the store. But unfortunately, there's no way you can get rid of them. When there's a photographer there you literally can't talk, you can just smile. If you talk, everything you say is used against you. Sometimes I feel bad for people like Paris, who are in the spotlight all the time.

I think there are all different types of personalities of both men and women and no fundamental differences separating them. I mean, technically, the only difference between men and women is an X and Y chromosome. I think altogether, we're all quite similar. Although I do think that women have some better skills.

There have been things in my life my mum could always do which my dad couldn't even come close to. Such as talking to me in a very personal way. I mean, I could always talk to my guy friends, but that's different. You can be 'real' with guys, but not really emotional. Women are good at just being there for you.

I'm a guy, but I'm not afraid to cry - not all of the time, but when I'm watching a movie I'll sometimes shed a tear. Especially for Moulin Rouge.